Me vs. Phil Valentine

So I went toe-to-toe with Phil Valentine (uber-”conservative” talk radio host) today. Phil and I see eye-to-eye on some things, but his views on effective immigration policy are antiquated and nativist – borderlining on xenophobic. Anyway, Phil was trying to pass off tomorrow’s vote on whether to make English the official language of Nashville Metro Government as some kind of unity issue. I came into the fight with two solid positions against it, which as any decent forensic opponent would, he had some easy counters to it. Being that I was sitting in my car and he was surrounded by show prep and computers, I got my clock cleaned. However, I still think that my reasoning is solid and I wish to share these two points which he deflected without refuting …

#1. Nashville has an extremely diverse population. Yes, there may indeed by many illegal immigrants among us, but the fact of the matter is when illegal immigrants have children those children are citizens – just as much as you or I. Seeing as they are citizens, they partake in social services like education. Since my wife was a metro school teacher, I have seen first hand how important it is that parents are involved with the education of their children. Students who do poorly and act out in class have no fear if there is not a belt waiting for them at home. If the teachers speak only English, the non-English speaking parents will never know how their child is doing. This puts the child in charge (I never said it was right, it just is.) My wife would often translate and mediate with children who were discipline problems or those who didn’t put forth effort – by speaking Spanish she was able to make sure the parents stayed on the kids and might have a chance to graduate. This English Only law would increase the number of minority youths who drop out of school and these children will resort to crime. This is an important reason to vote against it. (Phil says the schools won’t be affected by this, but I don’t see how they wouldn’t since they are part of Metro Nashville Government.)

#2. Councilman Crafton has presented this English only amendment as some kind of cost-saving initiative for Metro Government. The truth of the matter is somewhere down the road, probably very soon after the amendment is passed, someone will contact the ACLU who will sue the City on grounds that this amendment is unconstitutional. The subsequent legal fees incurred by Metro have already been estimated in the hundreds of thousands if not one million dollars to fight this unnecessary battle. Phil’s rebut to this is that a private organization “pro-English.org” has agreed to pay all legal fees incurred by the city to fight any impending battles. I’m skeptical that this group has assets of one million dollars to fight such a case, but I don’t know that to be fact. With the city cash strapped as it is – an additional $1 million is surely to result in a tax increase. We’ve stuck tourists with so many taxes lately that that source has likely run dry, so I foresee this leading to increased property taxes.

I don’t have all the answers, but I do know one thing … if conservatives spent as much time, money and effort reaching out to the community and volunteering at places like the NALC (Nashville Adult Literacy Council www.nashvilleliteracy.org) this city would be far better off than chancing increased crime rates or tax increases in the name of “unity” of language. I spent a semester last year volunteering with NALC – every person there was very eager to learn English, but in the meantime being able to take care of government business makes translation of some degree necessary.

Rarely do I pull out slavery references to make a point, but during the Civil War seccessionist preachers made the case that slaves were a burden placed upon their shoulders so that they could protect these poor, savage people and that one day they too might become good, upright Christians. Crafton’s “English Only” creates unity of mind and heart bologna is right from that same page. This amendment is being proposed by nativist, xenophobes like Crafton and sadly Valentine on this issue…

Tomorrow please join me in voting NO on #1 and NO on #2 – and keep Nashville a safer and more welcoming city for others – regardless of their first language.